Romanian Senate Chairman Asks Defense Minister For Explanation On Iraq Withdrawal

Romanian Social Democratic Party president Mircea Geoana said Tuesday that his party has asked fefense minister Mihai Stanisoara to appear before Senate and offer explanations on the withdrawal of Romanian troops from Iraq.

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“We have decided to invite minister Stanisoara on behalf of the Senate to provide a detailed report. He will have to explain the state of the Military, why there is so much nervousness in the Romanian Military and the way in which the Parliament has been left out of the mandatory mechanism regarding the withdrawal of troops from Iraq,” Geoana said, remarking he is concerned with “the negative state of mind in the Military and in the national security and public order structures.”

Romanian Senate Chairman Mircea Geoana said Monday that he will officially request the amendment of the ruling coalition Protocol, to eliminate the provision whereby the Senate Chairman is also the vice-president of the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT).

Geoana said he will make his request in Tuesday’s coalition assembly. He denied having signed the memorandum approving the withdrawal of Romanian troops from Iraq in a CSAT meeting, and said only the memorandum between the Romanian and Iraqi governments, in which the Iraqi Parliament asked that the Romanian military extend its stay until July 31, was discussed.

The memorandum did receive the Senate's approval and was signed by Senate vice-president Alexandru Peres.

Geoana said Sunday he is withdrawing from the Supreme Defense Council. The social democrat leader accused president Basescu of using the Army’s image for election purposes, referring to the recent visits the head of state made in Romania’s operation theaters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Democrat liberal leaders Vasile Blaga and Gheorghe Flutur said Tuesday, before the Government coalition meeting, that the social democrat leader’s announcement is “a campaign play” adding the coalition protocol will not be changed.

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